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5 Surprising ways to prevent split ends

No matter how much hellfire you apply to your hair to make it sleek and shiny, split ends can still make your mane look dull and damaged. In fact, it's that very exposure to blowdryers and hot irons that can cause those fragile tips to fray. Long exposure to sun, chlorine and saltwater can also leave hair brittle while brushing your wet hair and wreak havoc on your ends. (Seriously, my wide tooth comb is my curls' BFF!) But don't despair because there are ways to keep those splitting tips to a minimum. Here are five tips to keep those split ends away:

1. Get your hair trimmed every six weeks. Not only will your hairstyle stay on point as it grows out, but a trim will also keep your hair looking healthy.

2. Go for ceramic instead of metal when choosing a curling iron or flat iron and use low temperatures so that you don't start smelling that burnt hair scent. Also, give your hair a vacation and just let it do what it wants. Is your hair naturally curly? Then beat the heat (especially in summer) and let them air dry in the breeze instead.

3.Protect your hair prior to styling with products that specifically work as a shield against the intense heat and then use a leave-in conditioner to continue treating hair throughout the day.

4. Just like skin needs moisture to stay elastic and supple, so does hair in order to weather the elements. Apply a deep conditioning mask with essential oils to replenish any vitamins lost during heat styling or from chemical straighteners. You can also DIY your own hair mask by mixing a ripe avocado with a tablespoon of olive oil and half a cup of milk. Apply and leave in for 15 minutes before rinsing hair with warm water.

5. To detangle, don't start brushing at the roots and work your way down because soon you'll be hacking at those ends trying to get the knots out (or considering taking scissors to your hair). Instead, divide and conquer. Grab a small section, start in the middle, untangle those ends and then work your way towards the roots. And when you're ready to tie your hair back, just say no to hair ties with any metal closure.